IN CELEBRATION OF Ganesh Chaturthi, this post revisits the heartfelt story of Nambi, a devoted child who offered sweets to Lord Ganesha. Moved by Nambi's faith, Ganesha himself appeared and ate the offerings. However, on returning from the temple with the now-empty vessels, Nambi was accused of devouring the prasadam himself. Amid the general censure of his behaviour, Nambi invoked Ganesha through his sincere prayers. Ganesha appeared and proved Nambi’s innocence before everyone, by partaking in the offerings once again. The following verses, inspired by Tamil devotional poetry, narrate this divine moment, with vivid descriptions of traditional offerings like kozhukattai, sweet rice and bananas, highlighting devotion towards Ganapati. The child Nambi grew up to be the great 11th century Tamil scholar, Thirunaraiyur Nambiyandar Nambi, whose patron was none other than Rajaraja (I) Chola.

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The Faith of Nambi and the Feast of Ganapati

In a village where shadows meet the sun,

Lived Nambi, whose faith was second to none.

His father, a priest, with gentle care,

Entrusted Nambi with daily prayer.

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"To Ganapati, offer sweets so pure,

Kozhukattai, bananas, and rice secure.

Coconut split, its flesh so white,

Pray that the Lord partakes tonight."

*

Nambi bowed with hands of grace,

And placed the offerings in their place.

But each dawn broke with a tale untold—

The food had vanished, plates grown cold.

*

Whispers rose like a gathering storm,

"Has Nambi himself consumed the form?

Where’s the prasadam, where’s the sign,

That Ganapati dined at the shrine?"

*

His father frowned, the village scorned,

They doubted the boy, whose heart was torn.

“I swear, it’s the Lord who feasts at night,

He comes when the lamps burn bright.”

*

Alone, Nambi cried beneath the sky,

“Prove me true, O Lord so high!”

With tears, he prayed, his voice a song,

For Ganesha to right this wrong.

*

And then, as if from the temple stone,

Came Ganapati, in full-grown form.

With trunk curled soft, and eyes that gleamed,

The Lord ate the sweets as Nambi dreamed.

*

Kozhukattai, warm and sweet as prayer,

Bananas ripe beyond compare,

Each bite a testament to Nambi’s truth,

The boy’s devotion, eternal proof.

*

The village gasped, the doubt dissolved,

In Nambi’s faith, their hearts evolved.

For Ganapati himself had shown,

That devotion is in deeds alone.

*

Now, Nambi’s tale forever sung,

In every temple, on every tongue.

Of faith so pure, and food so blessed,

The boy who passed Ganesha’s test.